Warruwi Community South Goulburn Island, Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory

26 Gordon Street Glenelg South Australia
just off Jetty Road,
Bringing art from communities all over Australia.

Contact Paul Maynard: 0409 057 345
John Riordan  08 8294 0321
Rowena Brown 0410 481 237

OPEN BY APPOINTMENT - Just a phone call away
Open from July 19th  7 days a week with Art from all over Australia. .

Showing from July 19 2009 at Australian Outback Artists @
Glenelg Fine Art Gallery
Book here for special launch invitations BOOKINGS

• MARDBALK Artists - Goulburn Island                                                                                    June 2009
• Richard Dhaymutha  / Morning Star
• Fred Mathaman / Morning Star
• Sandy Murdumurdu / Archers paper
• Paul Gurruwiwi / Canvas 
• Simon Madedpanga / Archers paper
• Ralph Gumerdul / Stretched canvas
• Helen Matjinga / Stretched canvas
• Willie Nabulwad / Stretched canvas
• Lyn Narlbidgrrka / Pandanas floor mat
• Elizabeth Galaminda / Pandanas basket
• Rosemary Urabadi / Pandanas basket
• Cynthia Mindayal / Pandanas wall hanging
• Jarius Ganawi
• Lance Djumbala / Painted carvings

Our works consist of: 

- Canvas, Archers Paper and Bark Paintings using traditional colours and artists acrylics, along with painting techniques passed down from many generations.

- Animal Carvings from local mangrove timbers, these are hand painted with colour or clear gloss to highlight the beautiful colourings of the timber.

- Ceremonial Items, such as the 'Morning Star' which is used in ceremonies and dancing. These are cut from the Milk Tree, hand painted and decorated with bird feathers.

- Hunting Tools: Spears, Woomeras, Yam Sticks and Traditional Spears for fighting.

- Shell Jewellery, made from tiny snail shells found here on the islands.

- Pandanus Works, such as baskets, floor mats, wall hangings, earrings, (also belts, broaches and purses which have sold out and available again in the coming weeks)

Mardbalk Art & Craft Centre is approximately 330kms East North West of Darwin. The art centre supports artists from the communities of both Warruwi (Goulburn Island) and Minjilang (Croker Island).

Both islands are home to many talented indigenous artists who are all skilled in the techniques of traditional bark paintings, contemporary & traditional canvas paintings. Some artists still use the natural ochres, oxides, clay & charcoals to paint with, while artists’ acrylics are now used by some.

The fine lines which are a trademark of top end works are completed using grass tips sliced down to a very fine point. Many paintings represent the salt water animals that live abundance around the islands.

Timber carvings, made from Mangrove Timber are very popular on the Island; Many women on the island are pandanus weavers, who create beautiful and completely natural baskets, floor mats and wall hangings, and lines of natural fashion accessories - earrings, necklaces, broaches, belts, hair clips, coin purses and hand bags.

Shell jewellery made from the small snail shells which are found amonsgt the mangroves are another beautiful medium of jewellery these talented women make. Necklaces, bracelets, anklets and earrings are carefully strung together to form stunning jewellery and decorator items.

Morning Star
Fred Mathaman

The North and South Goulburn Islands located in Auray Bay off the northern Arnhem Land coast. The islands are Aboriginal-owned, so permits from the Northern Land Council are essential for all visitors. The Goulburn Islands are not set up for tourism, but intrepid sailors and fisherman may occasionally find themselves on their shores.

The Warruwi people are the traditional owners of the Goulburn Islands, and the Warruwi community is located on the southern tip of the south island. Warruwi is a dry community (no alcohol) and fishing is the main pastime of local people, who are allowed to hunt the turtles and dugong prevalent in the area.